History of Ringwood Ballet Group - 2

Forest Hill

My earliest recollection of a performance recalls the Forest Hill theatre. This must have indeed seemed a luxurious venue compared with some in the past. The theatre I later heard recalled most, was the Croydon Hall where to transfer from one wing to the other it was necessary to go outside and across the back of the building. Bruce Morrow is reputed to have carried small dancers across, to save their ballet shoes from the mud. Current ticket sellers may be interested to know that to obtain tickets for that venue it was necessary to sit at the phone the morning booking opened.

Within the theatre there was a small box/balcony which could be accessed from back stage, students could don their costumes then watch from there until the time came to go on. I imagine this was some sort of crowd control. During "Snugglepot and Cuddlepie" in the 1974 production, this box was packed with "Bad Banksias" in full regalia. They were a fearsome sight not only for their appearance but because they were some of the more mature girls not noted for their placid natures. Would the possibly flimsy structure hold all that excited mass or would they make an unscheduled dramatic entrance.!!

With the sale of the Town Hall and a record enrolment in 1971, arrangements were made to hold classes at the Lutheran Church Hall in Wantirna Road whilst still using Scots Hall. In 2nd term Miss Heather Scott joined the staff and also during this period Modern Dance was introduced at the Kilsyth Studio with Marita Loudon conducting classes.

In November the first Arts and Crafts Festival by the Lake was held and continued over many years. It was only with the amalgamation of Ringwood and Croydon Councils that the event changed somewhat.

In 1972 most of the major R.A.D. classes were held at the Kilsyth studios. At this time class numbers at this level were low at Ringwood. By 1973 the group had set up an Annual Ballet Demonstration. R.A.D. examination students were able to take part as added experience for forthcoming exams. This demonstration of work continued over several years.

Two ballet awards were presented at the Annual Recital in December 1972. The City of Ringwood sponsored the Senior Scholarship and continued to do so until 1994 when the new system, with Commissioners in charge decided against it. The Lions Club of Ringwood Junior Scholarship, began in 1973 and remained in existence until 1981. When this award was discontinued the Ringwood Ballet Group offered two Junior students their fees for one term.

At the Annual General Meeting in February in 1973 Cr. Jack Martin, Mayor, surprised to find the group had accumulated quite a sum of money in the Building Fund Account, due in part to the early committees firm resolution to build a Ballet Studio, suggested the committee write a letter to the Council again requesting a suitable block of land and financila assistance to build a studio.

This was done and the Ringwood Council agreed to assist the Group through the third/third/third scheme, i.e. one third provided by the Ballet Group, one third grant and one third a loan to be paid back by the Group over ten years. Suitable land in Bedford Park was included in the offer.

Coinciding with all this excitement a letter was received from the Treasurer of the Croydon Ballet Group, defunct since 1966 asking for incorporation with the Ringwood Ballet Group, with Croydon members eligible for membership and furthermore that two members should become ex-officio members of the Ringwood committee as observers, but without voting rights. Put to the vote this motion was carried. The sum of $1250 had been held by the Croydon Treasurer and their few remaining members decided the incorporation would ensure that the funds were put to the use originally intended, which was the erection of a ballet studio in the area.

Immediately following the offer and the go-ahead from the Council to build the studio, tenders were called for the proposed building. Two tenders were received, one quite beyond the Group's financial reach and the other from MR and Mrs J. R. Young for $39,718.00, which was accepted. Betty Young, Treasurer and her husband worked on plans and specifications and in February 1975 work commenced on the building.

By June the brickwork was almost completed and the roof was to be put in place the next week. Vandalism caused damage during this period and the S.E.C. erected a special light to discourage further interference. In spite of these problems the building came into operation by 22nd September and the Official Opening was arranged for Sunday 9th November 1975, at 3.00 pm. The building now complete, had to be equipped with barres and floor coverings in the dressing room area. A piano, donated by the Rotary Club of Ringwood was moved in and sundry other items required in a ballet studio were purchased.

It was hoped that Dame Peggy Van Praagh D.B.E. would be available to open the building but she was not free to do so. Mr Garth Welch accepted the invitation and a very successful opening took place on a warm day in November. Subsequently a plaque was placed in Studio 1 in honour of J.R. & B.L. Young without whose enormous effort the studio would never have become a reality. The Ringwood Ballet Group had now gone full circle and moved back to Bedford Park where it originally began.

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